Willow Park City Council will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, so residents can provide their input on the proposed budget and tax rate to support it.
It is expected council will then vote on whether or not to approve both immediately after.
The new tax rate, which council proposed during the Tuesday, Aug. 25, meeting would be $0.429041, an increase from the current rate of $0.421646. However, because of adjustments in the economy, the estimated impact on an average property tax bill would decrease by around $46, according to city staff.
While no numbers are official until after the council votes, City Manager Toni Fisher said plans are to include a 3% cost-of-living pay increase for city staff, other than the police department, which will see a 5% increase.
A recent study showed the Willow Park Police Department is lagging behind neighboring departments in pay.
The Willow Park fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2027.
Beginning Oct. 1 the Willow Park City Council will meet once a month on the third Tuesday. Council approved this change at Tuesday's meeting.
Special meetings will continue to be held, as necessary, Fisher noted.
Fisher said the change works better because it will help streamline the process of putting together agendas, giving staff, council and the mayor more time to prepare, including allowing more time for the city’s legal team to give their input on agenda items.
“It’s not too early in the month, it’s not too late in the month,” she said.
Fisher also noted that two recent meetings featured no action items.
Councilman Scott Smith questioned the matter, citing how long meetings have been running with two per month. For example, this meeting had 26 agenda items, including the consent agenda, executive session and end-of-meeting comments.
However, he was reminded by Mayor Pro Tem Nate Crummel that November and December generally have only one meeting in each month because of holidays and that doing so in October “Gives us a good trial run.”
No official changes were made in the city ordinance concerning meetings as it allows council the option of one or two.
Palmer noted if the Home Rule Charter is approved by voters in November, it calls for two meetings each month. However, she also said she prefers only one meeting each month.
“I’m very much in favor of meeting here once a month instead of two,” she said.
Also, the Planning and Zoning Commission will begin meeting on the second Tuesday of each month in October.
Engineer Derek Turner of Jacob & Martin LLC presented council with an update on the Capital Improvement Plan. The purpose of the updated plan is to evaluate the city's water, wastewater, street, and drainage facilities and to make sure they meet the needs of residents for years to come.
Studies show Willow Park's population is growing about 2.4% per year. At this rate, by 2050 the population will be a projected 16,880.
Spending projections in the plan include $50.2 million for water projects, $20.34 million for wastewater projects, $22.42 for street projects and $10.84 million for drainage for a total of $103.8 million.
Council approved a request for economic incentives from the new Bandidas restaurant at The District. Council approved a sales tax abatement on food sales only for the restaurant's first two years.
The Tex-Mex restaurant is scheduled to open in the closing months of 2026.
“We’re really excited to have them,” City Planner Chelsea Kirkland said.
With former Communications Director Rose Hoffman having left, council noted no one is available to monitor comments on the city’s social media pages. So council approved placement of a statement on the city’s Facebook page that notes this and directs viewers to the city website to seek answers to questions and staff contact.
The Facebook page will be for informational purposes only and comments should expect no response, Fisher said.
During the budget discussion Councilman Eric Contreras asked Mayor Teresa Palmer about her role in helping prepare the proposed budget, specifically concerning road and street repair,
“I think it’s fair for citizens to ask what role every person played in this budget,” Contreras said.
Palmer repeatedly answered, “We’re not doing this.”
Contreras pushed on, noting Palmer had signed a petition that prevented the council from issuing certificates of obligation for repairs and yet would not offer alternative funding in the budget. He also reminded her that city Certified Public Accountant Jake Weber had said — and reiterated Tuesday when Contreras asked him — he would not feel comfortable spending more than $400,000 for this out of the city’s general fund reserve.
From the audience, Marcy Galle, a staunch supporter of Palmer’s, yelled Conteras was not on topic, to which City Attorney Judy El Masri responded, “You’re interrupting the meeting and this is completely on topic.”
Contreras pushed further, asking Palmer if she would propose an adjustment to the budget so funding could be added. Palmer still refused to discuss the matter.
“So you don’t want to add money for roads?” Contreras asked, adding the only other option is to raise taxes.
“Our staff has done an incredible job of cutting things,” Contreras said.
Palmer pounded her gavel, saying loudly, “We’re taking a break!”
Contreras responded, “I challenge the ruling of the chair to take a recess.” It was seconded and the council voted to continue the meeting.
Palmer left the meeting, leaving the rest of the council looking at each other in amazement.
Palmer returned to the meeting and was told by El Masri, “There is no rule that says you can stop the meeting on your own without a majority vote (by council).”
Contreras again asked Palmer about her budget proposal, specifically roads, how much she estimates it will cost, and how does she plan to have it paid for.
“These are questions council and citizens deserve clear answers to,” he said.
Palmer again responded with, “I’m not doing this.”
After Palmer accused Contreras of attacking her in public, he moved to strike her comments of such from the record. This prompted Palmer to accuse the council of taking away her words.
She never answered Contreras’ questions.
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